In an almost too funny to be true story, MS Health news has an article that possibly linked some throat cancers to oral sex.
The study conducted by Dr. Erich Sturgis, an associate professor of head and neck surgery and epidemiology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston suggests that HPV (Human papillomavirus) is the reason.
"Smoking prevalence has dropped dramatically, and, likewise, most head and neck cancers have declined in incidence. Cancers at the base of the tongue and tonsil are increasing or have remained stagnant. We're not seeing the reduction in incidence that we would have expected," said Sturgis.
HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that is believed to be responsible for most cervical cancers. There has been a big push to vaccinate school aged girls against HPV and recent research suggests that older women might benefit from the vaccine as well.
With the possible link to throat cancer and potentially huge profits on the horizon, Merck and others are researching the efficacy of the vaccine on boys and men.
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